How to Lose Up to 20 Pounds When You’re Crunched for Free Time

This article was written by Jenna Bergen Southerland and provided by our partners at Prevention.

When Chelsea Streifeneder opened a Pilates studio six years ago, she was excited to help clients find their best bodies—she just didn't anticipate losing hers. "I start my day at 5 a.m. or earlier, and I'm going until 8 or 9 p.m. at night, seven days a week," says the 31-year-old New Yorker. As she built her business, eventually opening a second studio, her workouts and healthy food choices took a backseat. And suddenly—nothing fit. "I was miserable," says Streifeneder. "I didn't even recognize myself. I used to dance, I used to model... and I'd just let that all go. I wanted me again."

The key, Streifeneder knew, was that her plan had to be quick and flexible. "I needed something practical that I could fit in wherever, whenever," she says. So when Streifeneder heard that Prevention was looking for busy women to help test Fit in 10: Total-Body Transformation, a new fitness program designed to help you tone up and lose weight with clean eating and just 10 minutes of simple strength training a day, she decided to sign up. "I didn't have 20 minutes or 30 minutes, but 10 minutes a day? That I could do."

The time commitment was short, but Streifeneder quickly discovered that the smartly designed mini routines were made to deliver results. "They hit everything. Your arms, your legs, your belly—and I didn't have to go to the gym. I could turn on a Fit in 10 workout in the 10-minute window I have between clients—it was great."

It was also a challenge. "Even though I'd gained weight, I still considered myself to be a pretty strong and active person, but the first time I did a routine, I thought, 'Oh my God, I'm not going to be able to do this! But I quickly built up my strength, and it was cool to see that progress. Each day, I was able to hold a plank a little longer or get through a few more reps without taking a break. It was fun, especially once I got my sister to do it with me." If she missed a day, she'd do two routines the following day to make up the time.

Prevention/Fit in 10

In only eight weeks, Streifeneder lost an incredible 19.4 pounds—and now she can't seem to stop smiling. "I was amazed at how quickly the weight came off," she says. "There was a red dress hanging in the back of my closet I hadn't been able to get into, and now it zips. I'm even fitting back into my jeans from high school." (Click here for the full Fit In 10: Total-Body Transformation DVD set that helped our testers lose up to 21 pounds!)

Ask her how she feels now, and Streifeneder's emotions bubbles up. "I'm just so...happy," she says, unable to hold back tears. "This program gave me a new start, and I'm never going back to the old me. I keep writing #ImBack on all of my Instagram photos—because I am."